March 19, 2009

Senate Plans Vote on Kagan Nomination

Senate leaders have reached an agreement to vote today on the nomination of Elena Kagan for solicitor general, a Democratic spokeswoman says.

Debate on Kagan's nomination is set to begin at 2 p.m. and could last as long as six hours. A vote on confirming Kagan would follow.

Kagan, dean of Harvard Law School, would be the first female solicitor general and is widely seen as a possible future nominee for the Supreme Court. She served as an adviser in the Clinton administration, and she has taught at Harvard and the University of Chicago. She has received bipartisan support from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

President Barack Obama nominated Kagan on Jan. 5. The Supreme Court is next scheduled to hear oral arguments next week.